The 2014 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 114th season. This was the team's first year under a mostly new coaching staff led by rookie Manager Brad Ausmus. On September 28, the last day of the regular season, the Tigers clinched the American League Central title with a 3–0 win over the Minnesota Twins. The Tigers finished one game ahead of the Kansas City Royals, with a 90–72 record. It was their fourth consecutive American League Central title. They became the first AL Central team to win four consecutive titles since the Cleveland Indians won five straight from 1995 to 1999, and the first Tigers team to ever make four consecutive postseason appearances. Despite all of this, the Tigers' season ended on October 5 when they were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Division Series. This snapped Detroit's streak of three consecutive American League Championship Series appearances. To date, this is the last postseason appearance for the Tigers, and are tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the longest active postseason drought in MLB.
Roster moves
Coaching staff
On October 21, Jim Leyland stepped down from his managerial position after eight years with Detroit. He later confirmed that he joined the Tigers front office as a special assistant to team president/GM/CEO Dave Dombrowski. On November 3, the Tigers announced Brad Ausmus was named Leyland's successor, and signed to a three-year contract with a club option for 2017. On November 3, the Tigers announced bench coach Gene Lamont will return in the same role for the 2014 season. Hitting coach Lloyd McClendon did not return for 2014, as he was named the new manager of the Seattle Mariners on November 5. The Mariners later hired former Tigers bullpen coach Mike Rojas. On November 6, the Tigers announced Jeff Jones would return as pitching coach. They also announced the hiring of Dave Clark as third-base coach and outfield instructor. On November 17, the Tigers announced the hiring of Wally Joyner as hitting coach, Mick Billmeyer as bullpen coach, and Matt Martin was named to the newly created post of defensive coordinator. On November 18, the Tigers announced the hiring of Omar Vizquel as the first-base, infield and baserunning coach. On November 25, the Tigers announced the hiring of Darnell Coles as assistant hitting coach, rounding out their 2014 coaching staff.
Signings
On November 21, the Tigers avoided arbitration with relief pitcher Phil Coke with a one-year contract. On December 2, the Tigers avoided arbitration with utility player Don Kelly with a one-year contract. On December 4, the Tigers signed closer Joe Nathan to a two-year, $20 million contract, with a club option for 2016. On December 11, the Tigers signed outfielder Rajai Davis to a two-year, $10 million contract. On December 13, the Tigers signed pitcher Joba Chamberlain to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million plus incentives. On January 8, the Tigers re-signed shortstop José Iglesias to a one-year, $1.65 million contract. On January 17, the Tigers avoided arbitration when they reached one-year deals with pitchers Al Alburquerque, Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer, and outfielders Andy Dirks and Austin Jackson. Scherzer, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, received a $15.525 million salary for 2014. On January 31, the Tigers avoided arbitration with catcher Alex Avila, agreeing on a one-year contract worth $4.15 million with a club option for 2015. On February 24, the Tigers reached one-year deals with third baseman Nick Castellanos, outfielder Steven Moya, and pitchers Drew Smyly, Kyle Lobstein, José Ortega, Luke Putkonen and Evan Reed. On March 1, the Tigers rounded out their 40-man roster by signing one-year deals with pitchers José Álvarez, Ian Krol, Melvin Mercedes, and Bruce Rondón; catcher Bryan Holaday, second basemen Steve Lombardozzi Jr. and Hernán Pérez, and third baseman Francisco Martínez. On March 24, the Tigers signed outfielder J. D. Martinez to a minor league contract. On March 28, the Tigers signed Miguel Cabrera to an eight-year, $248 million contract extension. Combined with the $44 million the Tigers owed on the remaining two years of Cabrera's current contract, the total ten-year commitment is worth $292 million, and will keep Cabrera under contract until at least 2023. On March 29, the Tigers purchased the contract of outfielder Tyler Collins from AA Erie. On May 2, the Tigers signed relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan to a one-year, $1 million contract, plus incentives. On August 5, the Tigers signed relief pitcher Jim Johnson to a minor-league contract.